Maryland Votes for Animals

Maryland Votes For Animals released their early political endorsements for Maryland Senate, the House of Delegates and Anne Arundel County in the 2010 elections. These five Senate, twelve House and one Anne Arundel County Council endorsed candidates have all demonstrated leadership on humane issues and a committment to make animal protecction a priority for Maryland

These endorsements are a first significant step in MVFA's missionto bring animal protection issues to the mainstream of Maryland political action.  We live in a state where cruelty to animals has become a daily occurrence, so voters must unite to take a stand against the suffering.  In fact, the single most important thing any citizen of Maryland can do to help animals is to use the power of their vote to help elect humane legislators to office.

August 18, 2010

Courtesy of The Baltimore Sun's Unleashed Blog by reporter Jill Rosen

It seems that some Maryland lawmakers are better than others when it comes to animal issues, according to animal advocates.

The political action commitee Maryland Votes for Animals and the Humane Society's Legislative Fund recently ranked all 188 members of the General Assembly according to how they voted on recent animal-related bills. Bills included would strengthen penalties for attendees of animal fights, protect the terrapin and prevent chaining of dogs, among other things.

Printed August 15, 2010 in The Capital Newspaper, Annapolis, MD

Vote for Animals

Kudos to the recently formed Maryland Votes for Animals for hosting a large turn‐out of state legislators together with representatives from a multitude of organizations across Maryland dedicated to the humane treatment of animals.

MVFA is gathering steam as it successfully builds a statewide voting block determined to vote into office those who will vote for humane legislation protecting animals. Numbering already in the thousands, this block of voters will be alerted to upcoming legislative bills affecting the well‐being of animals. A Humane Legislative Scorecard found at www.VoteAnimals.org will help Maryland voters track current and past voting records of their District’s representatives as to how they vote on humane legislation.

Awards at the event were presented to the following legislators for having a 100%+ perfect humane legislative scorecard. (The plus indicates those who sponsored/co‐sponsored a humane bill):

Couldn't let the evening go by without letting you know that MVFA's Humane Scorecard Kick-off Party was one of the most fabulous events I've ever attended!  You should be very proud of yourself...It's a cinch that all of us are extremely proud of MVFA!  What an amazing job...WOW.  You have REALLY DONE IT!

Can you imagine...all those legislators attending... plus candidates running for office.  What a great platform you gave them by introducing them and allowing them to speak.  You really gave them recognition.  The Humane Legislative Champion Awards are such an incredible idea.  How wonderful that this concept has gone out to the politicians.  Now more  of them will be striving for the recognition (and the votes) from animal people across Maryland.  I think an ENORMOUS LEAP FORWARD has just been made through this event.  And how 'bout all those various animal groups that turned out? Amazing again!  That has got to send a message to the politicians that people are serious about this mission to help animals with our votes---and mean business.  I am so excited about what I just witnessed. 

Maryland Votes for Animals (MVFA) will host a Humane Scorecard Kick-Off Party on Monday, August 9th, 2010. The event will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m at Yellowfin Restaurant located at 2840 Solomons Island Road in Edgewater, MD 21037.  Tickets for the event can be purchased here. Tickets are $15 if purchased by August 1st and $20 at the door.  Appetizers will be served.

In conjunction with the Humane Society Legislative Fund, MVFA will announce results for their legislative scorecard; this scorecard ranks the votes on animal protection bills by Maryland’s legislators in the 2007-2010 legislative sessions. Additionally, eight Maryland legislators will be honored with Humane Legislative Champion Awards for their 100%+ support on animal legislation in the state of Maryland.

 The event will feature Mike Markarian, President of the Humane Society Legislative Fund as guest speaker. The HSLF is the lobbying affiliate of the Humane Society of the United States, the nation’s largest animal protection organization, and has worked to enact laws that protect animals at both the state and federal levels for the last 15 years.  He has appeared on The Today Show, MSNBC, CNN, and Fox News.

 Valerie Pringle, Board of Director’s member says, “Maryland Votes for Animals is honored to sponsor this event in conjunction with the Humane Society Legislative Fund, and is especially privileged to have Mike Markarian in attendance. Maryland currently ranks 40th out of 50 states in animal protection legislation. This event will help fund MVFA’s efforts to improve Maryland’s ranking.”

Attendees will have the opportunity to meet state politicians and voice their concerns about the current dismal state of animal cruelty in Maryland as well as socialize with like-minded people. The Maryland Legislative Scorecard will be available so attendees can check on their legislators' scores. 

Follow this link to purchase tickets or use the form below:

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Or pay by mail.  Please send ticket donations to:

Maryland Votes For Animals
 P.O. Box 6423
Annapolis, MD 21401-6423

Please Remember:  Contributions to Maryland Votes For Animals do not qualify as charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.  Individuals, companies or federal corporate political action committees may contribute a maximum of $4,000 to Maryland Votes For Animals per election cycle. The $4,000 counts towards an individual's, corporation's, or federal PAC's $10,000 aggregate limit on contributions to all state and local candidates during a four-year election cycle (January 1, 2007 to December 31, 2010). A corporation's Maryland state PAC may contribute up to $6,000 to Maryland Votes For Animals.

MVFA, the state's only pollitical action committee for animals, participates in "Canines and Cocktails for a Cause" at the Loews Hotel in Annapolis on June 18th, signing up supporters, telling local politicians they want better animal laws for Maryland---and having fun!